Recalling the time West Brom headed east

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea might dominate the loyalties of China's English Premier League fans, but the foundation of their popularity here was laid by a far less fashionable club 40 years ago.

In May 1978, modest midlands side West Bromwich Albion became the first English team to tour China, and the legacy of that trip lives on.

To mark the historic tour's anniversary, the Baggies' Chinese owner, Lai Guochuan, and the club's sponsor, Palm, a Chinese eco-town developer, invited Albion legend Ally Robertson to return to China this month.